Meet The Supporters: The 2019 Board of Directors

February 11, 2019

Photo Credit: Aaron Cranford/USL League One

This is part of our weekly series where we meet some of the people who will be joining the Assembly Line this year. In this week’s Special Edition of Meet The Supporters, we introduce you all to our newly elected Board of Directors and Committee Chairpersons. The election process took place at our Planning Meeting on Friday, February 8th, 2019. Keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new segment!

2019 President: Eric Gibbs (@EricJGibbs)

Q: Describe your current involvement with the supporters group…

A: Throughout the past five months, I have assisted with advertising, planning events, social media, website creation, merchandise store creation, hosting the first planning meeting, among other duties.

Q: What can you bring from your professional life to The Assembly Line position that you are nominating yourself for?

A: As a member of the Information Technology career field, I have a strong interest in online presence and website creation. As a former Event Promoter, I have a strong interest in social media, marketing, and events. Outside of my professional life, I also bring experience from working with Minnesota United FC, Dark Clouds, and True North Elite during their Major League Soccer transition.

Q: Where do you see The Assembly Line going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group focus on?

A: It is my goal to help The Assembly become the top organized supporter’s group in League One, year in and year out, while also ensuring that we assist with growing the sport in our metro area while also helping our community.

2019 Vice President: Westen Shelton (@WestenShelton)

Q: Describe your current involvement with the supporters group…

A: I have attended meetings, gone to events, and helped run one of the meetings. I also write for our website.

Q: What can you bring from your professional life to The Assembly Line position that you are nominating yourself for?

A: I am a store manager, and accustomed to delegating responsibilities, and finding ways to improve things or do them better. I was also a journalism major in school, so I have plenty of experience writing and with the media for the communication position.

Q: Where do you see The Assembly Line going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group focus on?

A: My biggest focus off the bat is membership growth. Recruiting and getting our name out there should be our #1 focus, and all other things can flow from there. I would also like to see us focus on the community element. I’d like for us to be about more than supporting the team, so the other biggest focus for me would be finding a great cause for us to volunteer or contribute to, and planning events that can accomplish these goals.

2019 Treasurer: Cameron Tanner (@afrothunder1212)

Q: Describe your current involvement with the supporters group…

A: Currently I have been involved by adding my experience and thoughts from participating in an MLS, NPSL/PDL, USL and national team supporter group, as well as starting chapters of American Outlaws and a college supporter group at Wake Forest

Q: What can you bring from your professional life to The Assembly Line position that you are nominating yourself for?

A: I have served as a treasurer in high school, for my fraternity. And managed budgets in excess of $60,000 as a student affairs professional. I also deal in education, inclusivity, and event planning in my professional life.

Q: Where do you see The Assembly Line going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group focus on?

A: I see the Assembly Line experiencing natural, grassroots growth and becoming one of the most impactful SGs in USL One. I would like to see a realistic and balanced budget coming from dues and donations for tifo, community involvement, and projects to grow the sport. I would like to see Assembly Line teams in indoor and outdoor soccer leagues and sponsorship of youth soccer teams. In addition, I was a part of the Ransom and would love to bridge the gap between Lansing United and Ignite to ensure soccer continues to grow in the Greater Lansing community.

2019 Secretary: Cody Reavis (@ReavisCody)

Q: Describe your current involvement with the supporters group…

A: My current involvement in the group has being an active participant at meetings. As well being active on social media to spread the name of the group to help attract new members. In addition with Weston, I’ll also be helping spearhead our new podcast!

Q: What can you bring from your professional life to The Assembly Line position that you are nominating yourself for?

A: In my personal life I’ve studied marketing at NMU which has given me a good insight at what our target market it. With that experience I spent two seasons as an intern with LanU under Jeremy which gave me good experiences working with local business!

Q: Where do you see The Assembly Line going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group focus on?

A: In the next two to three years I honestly see the Assembly Line becoming a major player in SGs In not only the league, but in the country. It may sound out of reach to some but it’s very possible with the right tools in place. I think main things to focus on is community outreach, as an SG you become a part of the fabric of that community, that isn’t just focused on soccer, but bringing a positive experience to people’s everyday life. That’s just locally, on a larger scale you’re looking at solid social media presence. Which I think we have a good start on, just building off of that, so I also think our podcast we have coming out soon will help get us out there.

2019 Member At Large: Travis Faber (@brownbottle2011)

Q: Describe your current involvement with the supporters group…

A: While I have not yet been involved in anything official, I have a strong will to become a very involved member of this group.

Q: What can you bring from your professional life to The Assembly Line position that you are nominating yourself for?

A: Over 8+ years of promotion experience, as well as excellent customer service and a very personable attitude.

Q: Where do you see The Assembly Line going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group focus on?

A: I see The Assembly Line becoming one of the largest and most feared support groups by our rivals and opponents. I envision us as becoming the forefront of what other support groups strive to be. Match day events and verbal/visual presence in the stands, as well as community philanthropy, I believe should gain much of our focus. I have been an avid soccer fan for most of my life, spending a majority of the last few years on the front lines with the Northern Guard from DCFC. That being said, my commitment to the Ignite will become my main focus as my hometown team. This city deserves to become a force of professional soccer and I want to see this group help the team in any way possible; ranging from losing my voice at every game to carrying the flags on the march from LBC. I would love the opportunity to provide my services and support as either a board or committee member, as well as helping to bring the wonderful sport of soccer to new members and new faces.